If you love horses and like to do practical work outside, these courses are a great option. We offer you opportunities to up-skill, improve your equine knowledge and to further your ambitions in the equine industry, through a mixture of theory and practical activities.
There are many opportunities available to work in the equine industry both in New Zealand and overseas. Graduates of these courses can work successfully in a stable environment as grooms, stablehands or trackwork riders, or pursue one of the many other roles within the various sectors of the equine industry.
We offer two National Certificate programmes; Introductory Stable Skills – Level 2 and Stable Procedures – Level 3.
The courses are made up of both equine and employment skills, such as caring for stabled horses, paddock care and maintenance, preparing horses for exercise, health and safety, and effective communication skills. At Level 3 you will also choose to specialise in either Thoroughbred Racing or Sporthorse.
Introductory Skills is an intramural course run in Wanganui and you must be registered with Work and Income to be eligible. If you are keen please see your case manager for a referral. On this course students learn through a mixture of face to face classes, practical skills classes and work experience placements. The course runs Monday to Friday for either 26 or 40 weeks depending on your eligibility.
Stable Procedures is a distance learning course. You will receive course materials through the post and a Field Officer will support and visit you to provide training and practical assessment. The course is delivered over approximately eight months.
To be eligible for this Level 3 course you must:
It is also desirable that you hold a National Certificate in Equine: Level 2 or equivalent, or a Pony Club C Certificate. If you do not hold one of these qualifications you may still be admitted to the course if you have prior knowledge of horses and the ability to ride; and/or equivalent knowledge and skills; and/or other formal or informal study such as to suggest the likelihood of successful course completion.
Equine unit standards are also available to senior secondary school students through STAR or Gateway funding. Please ask your STAR or Gateway co-ordinator, Dean or Careers advisor to contact us for more information about this option.
The National Certificate in Equine (Introductory Stable Skills) – Level 2 is FREE if eligible and you are referred to the course through Work and Income.
The course is great value at $1654 for the Thoroughbred Racing strand and $1622 for the Sporthorse strand. The course is eligible for interest free student loans and allowances.